Looking to immerse yourself in the charm of old street culture during your trip to Tibet? Seeking lively gatherings in well-known tourist spots？ Want to purchase interesting and unique items but unsure where to find them? Let me guide you to a place called Barkhor Street – the perfect spot to experience the unique old street culture during your Tibet journey. It will lead you to appreciate the perfect blend of Tibetan style and bar ambiance. Of course, this is also the ultimate shopping destination for a rich variety of crafts during your Tibet travel.
Barkhor Street is located in the old city of Lhasa, originally just a single circumambulation path around the Jokhang Temple, known to Tibetans as the “Sacred Road.” It has gradually expanded into a large area of old-style commercial streets surrounding the Jokhang Temple, with a circumference of about 1000 meters. It is an essential place to experience Lhasa.
In the 7th century, Songtsen Gampo built the Jokhang Temple, a beautiful temple that attracted countless pilgrims, gradually stepping out onto the octagonal street that surrounds the Jokhang Temple. Initially, it was just an ordinary road, later becoming the famous pilgrimage circuit. In the past, Barkhor Street housed local government institutions, prisons, as well as shops, stalls, and handicraft workshops. Here, nobles, monks, scholars, as well as artisans like carpenters, silversmiths, blacksmiths, painters, and common people lived together. There are also many handicraft workshops.
Currently, Barkhor Street has more than 120 handicraft shops and over 200 stalls. Nowadays, one can find ethnic handicrafts everywhere on Barkhor Street, including items like cushions, carpets, aprons, and Songba shoes. Metal crafts are roughly divided into several categories: drinking vessels such as butter tea pots and bowls, accessories like waist knives, headgear, and bracelets, and other tools like musical instruments and horse equipment. Visitors can easily purchase their favorite products here.